Wade ends van Gerwen’s Euro dominance then lifts the trophy

James Wade ended Michael van Gerwen’s unbeaten run on the European Tour as he went on to win the HappyBet European Darts Matchplay at the weekend.

The Machine took home the £25,000 first prize at Hamburg’s InselParkhalle with a thrilling 6-5 victory over Dave Chisnall in the final on Sunday night.

After seeing his Betway Premier League play-off hopes end in the penultimate round in Manchester two weeks ago, Wade bounced back in style to claim his second title on the European Tour.

The 33-year-old began his title-winning weekend with a 6-4 win over Jonny Clayton in the second round on Saturday, before showing his credentials with an impressive 6-2 win over reigning world champion Gary Anderson in the last 16 on Sunday afternoon.

A narrow 6-5 victory against Benito van de Pas booked the left-hander a place in the semi-finals, where he took on defending champion van Gerwen.

MVG had won all three European Tour events so far in 2016 but his unbeaten run came to an end after Wade came out on top 6-2, with a deciding leg triumph over Chizzy in the final handing him his first tournament win of the season.

“It’s a lovely feeling,” he said. “I don’t win often enough now so it means a lot to me when I do.”

“I believe I played solid darts all weekend, and in the next three to four months I can be dangerous.”